Sugar and Lymphedema

Just as there was with salt, it would appear that it is becoming more popular to claim anyone with lymphedema should avoid sugar.  Also as was with salt, there is simply no clinical evidence that this is valid and that this needs to be practiced by lymphedema patients.

If you are DIABETIC, if you are one that reacts in any way to sugar, then YES, avoid it. 

If not, there is no danger is eating a small amount.  Moderation is the key as is exercise, overall diet and your personal medical situation.

And no, I do not eat that much myself, I simply feel before someone puts out claims or information, that information needs to be valid and based on evidence not conjecture, personal feelings, or even personal beliefs that are not born of evidence.

For further reading see:

Edema and Diabetes (Shows difference between edema from diabetes and swelling from lymphedema, how to know the difference and how to treat the difference)

These are interesting articles as well:

Is Sugar Toxic?

Sugar is Sugar - Don't be fooled (Mayo Clinic)

Why high blood sugar is bad (Mayo Clinic)

Caffeine: Does it affect blood sugar? (Mayo Clinic)

What Is Sugar? How Much Added Sugar Should I Have?

Sugar

What is Sugar?

The white stuff we know as sugar is sucrose, a molecule composed of 12 atoms of carbon, 22 atoms of hydrogen, and 11 atoms of oxygen (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁). Like all compounds made from these three elements, sugar is a carbohydrate. It’s found naturally in most plants, but especially in sugarcane and sugar beets—hence their names.

Sucrose is actually two simpler sugars stuck together: fructose and glucose. In recipes, a little bit of acid (for example, some lemon juice or cream of tartar) will cause sucrose to break down into these two components. 

If you look closely at dry sugar, you’ll notice it comes in little cubelike shapes. These are sugar crystals, orderly arrangements of sucrose molecules. (cont on link above)